Clutter – Disorganization – and working with a Professional Organizer

Are you tired of being fed up with your clutter and disorganization?  

Do you want to be able to invite people over without having to do an emergency decluttering (also known as throwing everything into a box and hiding it somewhere else)?

Sit back and let a professional organizer show you a better way.

A Professional Organizer can:

·         Assess your situation

·         Analyze what didn’t work

·         Implement new, sustainable organizing solutions

Being organized reduces your stress, saves you time and money.

Assessing your situation can include just things as walking through your home or business and seeing what the spaces look like. Or it can involve looking at your filing system or computerized systems to see how you function.

Analyzing what didn’t work means going over the systems that you currently using and any systems that you have used in the past and figuring out why they are not working for you.  There are numerous ways to do things and there is no “right or wrong way”. There is “the way that works for you”.  

Implementing new, sustainable organizing solutions for you. Each person learns differently. Some people are very visual and need things to be out and displayed or they can’t find things. Some people can only handle things that have very few steps – or they won’t do them. Professional Organizers can create new systems that help you become more organized and more productive. Many systems are too complex and tend to overwhelm a client. Everyone learns differently and requires different solutions to be successful. If a system is too complex – even though it’s a great system – most people won’t follow it for long.  Organizing systems and processes need to work for you. And sometimes it’s a process of trying a system for a while and then tweaking it over time to make it function better.

Most people use professionals – whether it’s a doctor, mechanic, electrician or lawn service – because they don’t have the expertise – or they don’t have the time or energy to do the job themselves.  Or they have tried, sometimes with the help of family or friends to get themselves organized – but it just didn’t work.

A Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant can help you in many ways. If they belong to NAPO (National Organization of Professional Organizers) they are bound by a code of ethics and understand that letting a professional organizer into your home or business is somewhat invasive and a very personal experience.  They are trained to be empathetic and understanding and never judgmental.  A number of organizers also belong to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) and work with clients that have chronic disorganization and/or hoarding disorder and also have a variety of other issues such as ADHD, Asperger's, Bipolar, OCD and more. They are also trained to work with seniors and the aging population, people in life transitions, time management and productivity; students and more.

 Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Certificate of Study in Time Management and Productivity

This certificate covers the principles of time management and productivity as they relate to working with the CD client. To earn this certificate, Fried was required to take attend numerous courses that explored topics such as how to deal with procrastination, managing priorities, working with clients with Autism and various other issues, time management techniques and more.

Karin E. Fried of Organizational Consulting Services has earned a Certificate of Study in Time Management and Productivity from the Institute of Challenging Disorganization (ICD). The purpose of ICD’s study series is to provide both basic and specialized topic education on issues, concepts, and challenges presented by client work with the chronically disorganized.

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) promotes continued learning in this highly specialized field. ICD’s mission is to provide education, research and strategies to benefit people challenged by chronic disorganization. ICD explores, develops and communicates information, organizing techniques and solutions to professional organizers, related professionals and the public. 

This certificate focus on time management and productivity issues faced by people with chronic disorganization. To earn this certificate, Fried was required to attend numerous courses that explore topics such as how to deal with procrastination, how to manage your priorities, how to work with clients with Autism and various other challenges, time management techniques and more.

Prior to completing this coursework, Fried has also earned her Level II Chronic Disorganization (CD) Specialist Certificate, a Certificate in Basic Hoarding Issues with the CD Client, a Certificate of Study in Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client, a Certificate of Study in Basic ADD Issues with the CD Client, a Certificate of Study in CD Client Administration, a Certificate of Study in Life Transitions, a Certificate of Study in Interpersonal Intelligence and a Certificate of Study in Mental Health Conditions and Challenges Affecting the CD Client.

The Specialist Certificate provides in-depth information on chronic disorganization and how to help CD clients manage more effectively in relation to getting and staying organized. 

“My ongoing education allows me to work with clients who are chronically disorganized in a very specific manner” said Fried. Increasing my knowledge will enable me to provide the highest quality individualized services to my clients”.

Organizational Consulting Services provides both business and residential organizing services. As a Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant, Fried works with a variety of clientele, from people who need just basic organizing help, people with chronic disorganization and hoarding issues, people with all types of issues such as TBI’s, Asperger’s, ADD; clients that need help with paper and time management, clients that need help with estate or life management and anything in between. Fried also provides virtual organizing to clients all over the world. 

For more information, please visit www.organizationalconsultingservices.com 

Organize - Room by Room

Getting organized involves clearing out your clutter.  What does that mean? Well - it means getting rid of - removing - donating - things that you no longer need, want, use, have outgrown  or things that are broken or outdated. 

Below is an idea list - room by room - of things that you can "remove".

Kitchen

• Old/unused appliances

• Broken/unused dishes

• Old/unused cookbooks

Pantry

• Outdated cans/boxes/jars

• Opened/stale snacks

• Nearly empty containers

Dining Room

 • Stained linens

 • Broken art/craft supplies

 • “Art”

Living Room

• Outdated photos/wall hangings

• Unused furniture

• Old, unappreciated collectibles

Den

• Outgrown toys

• Unused music/movies

• Instrument/game equipment 

Office

 • Unnecessary papers, bills, statements, books

 • Broken pens/pencils

 • Old files from filing cabinet

Bedrooms

 • Outgrown/unused clothing & shoes

 • Broken/unused toys

 • Clutter under the bed

Bathrooms

• Expired medicines

• Old, ratty linens

• Clutter under the sink

Closets

 • Unused jackets/coats

 • Unused shoes

 • Torn/broken bags/luggage

Basement/Attic

• Junk

• Outdated/outgrown clothing

• Gifts/”heirlooms” that you don’t want

Storage Areas

• College textbooks

• Unused holiday décor

• Old magazines

Garage/Shed

• Old cans

• Broken tools

• Junk

So - pick a room - and "remove" some of the above items. Clear your clutter - one room at a time.


Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Why Get Organized???

Reasons for getting organized are many. It's not just about having an uncluttered living room.

So why is organization such a big deal?

• Being organized makes a room (kitchen, living room, office....) look better and uncluttered
• Being organized presents a more professional image
• Being organized allows you to find things easily
• Being organized reduces your stress because you can find things easily
• Being organized means getting to work or school on time
• Being organized allows you to complete tasks on time
• Being organized saves you time
• Being organized saves you money
• Being organized allows you to spend more time with your family
• Being organized increases your productivity
• Being organized makes your space more efficient
• Being organized shows responsibility
• Being organized lets you get your bills paid on time
• Being organized allows you to reach your goals
• Being organized makes you healthier
• Being organized makes you more confidant

Get Organized!  There are a lot of reasons you should!


Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Time Management - List Management - Priority Management

Are there too many things on your "TO DO" list?  Do you have things listed in priority order? Is anything actually getting done?

Life can be a challenge. Most people have too many things that they want to do or get done - yet they can't seem to get ahead of their list. If they have a list, that is.

It's easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out by the number of things that we expect of ourselves. A lot of this is of our own making. We try to squeeze too many things into our day and then get upset with ourselves when we don't accomplish everything.

The problem is not that we aren't accomplishing everything - it's that we don't have a system in place - that works for us. Everyone is different - there is no "one size fits all".

Managing your time includes managing your expectations. Start by making a list of all the things that you want or need (or think you need) to get done. This is your master list.

You then need to decide on what is a priority and number them accordingly. This takes some decision making. Then step back and be realistic about your priorities. Maybe you might want to renumber your list. What seems like a priority now might not be a priority after you have looked at your entire list and thought about it for a while.

Next, you will want to break down your list into tasks.  These tasks should be things that can be accomplished in a short period of time. They are not "projects" - but short tasks - such as deciding on the color for the office that you are going to repaint (project).

It would look something like this:

Project:   Paint office

Tasks:

• Decide on a day to paint and schedule it on your calendar
• Decide on a color
• Go to the store to pick up paint
• Pick up brushes at the store
• Pick up paint sticks at the store
• Pick up a drop cloth at the store
• Paint the room
• Clean up the room of all material (drop cloth, paint cans...)

This is just one example of breaking down your projects into manageable tasks.

By putting everything down on your list - you won't have to remember everything and you won't stress yourself out by forgetting something. Plan ahead and plan everything out.

Scheduling your time, making lists, breaking down your priorities into actionable events is critical in reducing your stress.

It is also important not to over schedule yourself. By putting everything on your calendar (either paper or electronic) - it helps you to see everything that you are actually doing. It's a reality check.

Once it's on paper - and you have a "visual" - it's easier to step make and make some decisions on your "priorities". Be realistic about the time and more importantly - the energy - that you really have for all of your commitments.

It's easy to get lost in your commitments and to forget the most important thing - your family and yourself. Schedule time for your family and yourself on your calendar. If you don't - no one will.

Better time management results in helping to reduce your stress!

Have a great and productive - but not over scheduled week!


Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Schools Out and Stuff is Everywhere - Toss What You Don't Need and Organize the Rest

School is out for the summer!!!!  Kids will have cleaned out their lockers and brought home - well, lots of stuff! Maybe even stuff that you didn't know that you were missing - like your Tupperware!

They will also have brought home lots of papers and other things that they cleared out of their lockers. Maybe even some clothes. If they are like most kids they will probably have dumped it all in the hallway where they came in. And it's still probably there!

So before you get too far into the summer take some time to organize the mess. And if you can, make the kids help. It is their mess after all!

First, throw out all of the garbage.

Second, take back your Tupperware, dishes, silverware...

Third, grab those clothes and throw them in the laundry. After they are clean, decide if they still fit or might still fit by the start of the next school year. Otherwise, into the "donate pile" they go.

Fourth, go through their papers and decide which ones you want to keep (things such as art work or other papers you really want to keep). You might want to dispose of the other papers when the kids are not around. If you have a folder/box or notebook for each child you can put anything you want to save into their file (by grade). If there is any art work that you want to keep but is too big for your file box - you might to take a picture of it instead of keeping the actual paper.

Fifth, any extra school supplies that can be used for the next year can be put away in a bag and you will have a head start on shopping for the next school year. Be sure to keep a list of what you already have so that you don't buy duplicates when you get the rest of their school supplies.

Sixth, check the condition of their backpack and lunch box and toss it or put it away for next year (after a thorough cleaning of course!).

The mess is now gone and you can get on with our summer!

Have a great summer!


Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Different Types of Clutter

Clutter comes in many forms. It's not just about "stuff" or "possessions". There are many types of clutter. Most people only think about clutter in terms of physical clutter. But there is so much more.

Types of Clutter:

• Physical Clutter:         things that you have
• Paper Clutter:              piles of paper everywhere
• Digital Clutter:            emails & internet
• Time Clutter:              things that you do
• Brain Clutter:              things that you think about
• Relationship Clutter:   people in your life that are not good for you
• Emotional Clutter:      things that you burden yourself with

What are some things that are cluttering your life?

  

Stress

Work

To Many Things On Your To Do List 

Guilt

Worrying

Clothes

Stuff

Obligations

Noise

Regrets

Jealousy

Failure

Bad Relationships

Paper

Commitments

Take some time to think about all of the things that are cluttering your life and try to decide what you can let go of. 

Pick one thing in each category that is cluttering your life and let it go. 

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com